The fracture energy of glass

Abstract
The fracture energy of Float and Pyrex glass plates has been determined in various media using a simple double-cantilever cleavage technique. Although slow growth of the crack at constant displacement of the cantilever arms was observed in all environments, consistent values for the energy expended when the crack propagates rapidly were obtained. This ‘instantaneous fracture energy’ranged from ∼5000 erg/cm2 (Float glass) or 6000 erg/cm2 (Pyrex) in vacuum to 2500 erg/cm2 (for both glasses) in water. The results are discussed in terms of Marsh's hypothesis that localized plastic flow occurs at the crack tip.

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